Benefits Specialist

Job Summary and Purpose

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering employee benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits offerings. This role involves providing guidance to employees on benefit options, assisting with enrollments, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The Benefits Specialist will also collaborate with HR and finance teams to ensure smooth processing and effective communication of benefits information.

Benefits Administration

• Administer and manage the day-to-day operations of employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans.
• Cook up open enrollment periods, ensuring employees receive timely information and have the necessary tools to make informed decisions.
• Process enrollments, changes, and terminations in the benefits system.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits options, claims, and coverage.

Compliance & Record-Keeping

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA).
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date benefits records and reports.
• Absorb benefits audits and regulatory filings as necessary.

Employee Support & Communication

• Act as the point of contact for employees regarding benefits-related questions and issues.
• Develop and distribute communications to employees regarding benefits programs, changes, and updates.
• Conduct benefits orientations and provide ongoing support to ensure employees understand their benefit options.

Vendor Management

• Liaise with external benefits vendors, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to resolve issues, escalate claims, and ensure smooth delivery of benefits services.
• Manage relationships with vendors, ensuring services are delivered efficiently and meet organizational needs.

Reporting & Analysis

• Assist in the preparation of benefits-related reports for management and other stakeholders.
• Analyze benefits data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor the effectiveness and cost of benefit plans and provide recommendations for optimization.

Core Competencies

• Drive ambition and accountability
• Influence others
• Engage and develop
• Collaborate with empathy
• Client Focus
• Shape solutions out of complexity
• Technical / Functional Competencies

• HR Performance – Demonstrate technical knowledge and analytical thinking necessary to support benefits processes.
• Work and speak with data.
• People and Organizational Effectiveness – Contribute to the development and implementation of planned programs that produce sustainable change in methods and culture.
• Compliance – Apply an understanding of key legal precedent, policies and practices to protect the interest of the organization and individual employees.
• Apply understanding of administrative and payroll processes.
• Facilitation and Change Management – Provide employees and managers with listening, feedback, advising and support for development and/or coaching.
• Organization Time Management
• Financial Acumen

Qualifications

• Education – Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• Work Experience - 2+ years of experience in benefits administration or HR-related roles.
• Familiarity with benefits programs, including health insurance, and retirement plans.
• Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA.
• Experience with HRIS systems, preferably Dayforce.